Flat6Enthusiast

Hi Rennlisters!

I'm lucky enough to be in the position to order a new 718 Spyder. I will mostly use it for mountain road driving, but I do 5-10 track days per year, and have always wanted to use the buckets on track. Before we get into the discussion about how 'the buckets are so amazing you could drive on them for 30 days straight and feel amazing!' This is not true for my wife and I- I've sat in buckets before and know what works for me. I'm very broad shouldered and found even the 'sport' seats in the 987 Spyder uncomfortable for my shoulders after more than 30 minutes. For a track day, buckets would be fine, but 90% of my driving won't be on a track and my cars are driven, they're not garage queens.

Here is my question- Given how much cheaper the carbon buckets are when bought from the factory- does it make sense to (a) spec the new Spyder with them and buy a used set of 718 base seats to swap in? Or (b) does it make sense to spec the car with the sport seat and swap in some buckets (most likely the GT2 carbon buckets only available in Europe). Financially it makes sense probably to spec the buckets from the factory. BUT if I were to swap seats with a base 718 seat would I have to worry about throwing codes or anything?

In scenario a- I'd be using a 'base' 718 seat with almost all functions being manual.

Anyone with perspective swapping between seats that is willing to lend a few tips?

Thanks!

Zhao

What makes the most sense to me is spec the base seats, buy a single racing bucket for the track, and swap it in. Racing buckets are $500-2g. That is the cheapest option. You will lose your airbags on track, but imo with a bucket you add a harness, hans, and helmet and the airbag becomes pointless with those items.

swapping in some used base seats is possible, but you'r egoing to be buying them from a write off which will probably mean you don't get to pick and choose what color you get so much, and it can be difficult to find a pair.

(you can use car-part.com to search salvage yards all over north america. if you dont find a good selection of seats pick a common part like a fender or a door and see what pops up for that, as not all salvage yards list oddball stuff like seats even though they may have a complete car)

Flat6Enthusiast

Thanks for the feedback!

ExMB

There are numerous posts on this LWB/seat swap issue. Please search.

Larry Cable

this!

my $0.02 spec the LWBS and get some 2-ways ... the Spyder deserves the LWBS - and if you really dont like them you can sell them or swap with someone who wants them!

(they sell aftermarket for much more than the factory $)

you can also improve them with some P1Designs inserts w/memory foam and lumbar ...

Flat6Enthusiast

Right. Thanks for the feedback

porscheflat6

Spec LWB and leave it at that. Swapping seats is a pain in the *** and you risks scratching everything up. If you want the best option, spc LWB and then go buy racaro sportsters seats from BBi and swamp them so you have best of everything. my buddy loves his and I am about to do the same to my GT4. I mostly track so 6 point is most important but now I get both 6 point and comfort.

Chris3963

Consider doing what a friend of mine did with his Touring. He speced the car with LWBs then swapped out only the passenger LWB for a base seat for his wife. He is happy and she is happy. Looks kind of funky too.

Zeus993

Interesting thread. I like the idea of buying whatever seats you will use 95% of the time, then removing the passenger seat (to save weight) and purchasing a specific track seat as suggested for the other 5% track time.

Question - any problem with leaving the passenger seat out or not hooking up the airbag sensors with the track seat? Air-bag errors?

Flat6Enthusiast

That's a thought! I've been looking at second hand 2-ways and they're not absurdly expensive to get. Might be the best of both worlds.

daaa nope

I'd spec the LWBs since they're 5900 bucks when ordering the car, and sell for... 15+ on the used market. Buy a set of base seats on eBay and install. Either (a) put the LWBs in storage, ready to reinstall when you opt to sell your car (it will make the car pretty easy to sell IMO) or (b) flip the LWBs and make a profit.

blackland

I ordered the LWB, I like them and I added the memory foam inserts so they are more comfortable. My wife rode in the car one time, declared that she hated it and will not ride in it again. Mission accomplished!

Flat6Enthusiast

Ok decision made! I'm ordering LWB's and will get some 2 ways second hand. Thanks for the input everyone

9elheven

You may already have seen these 981 GT4 2-ways for sale in the classified...you're both on the West Coast anyway. I assume 981 GT4 seats will fit in the 718 Spyder. No affiliation of course.

https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1259442

theEnd

I've been thinking about this as I ordered 18-ways primarily to keep my passenger happy, and would probably be ok with an LWB for myself, even on long road trips.

Got any pictures of your friend's Touring?